Members of the Griego family released a statement saying Nehemiah is not a monster.

They described the teen as a talented young man who dream of serving his country.

While speaking with Action 7 news, the family sent photos of the teen from happier times, including one of Nehemiah in his father's arms.

Former state Sen. Eric Griego is Nehemiah's uncle.

He released a lengthy statement saying, "None of us, even in our wildest nightmare, could have imagined that he could do something like this."

The family said Nehemiah was never a loner or a monster and that the boy they remember was a talented musician.

Nehemiah also played the bass and guitar for Calvary Chapel's youth ministry.

Vince Harrison is the church member, and former police officer, that Nehemiah spoke to on the day that he is accused of killing his family.

"Just a good kid, he smiled, he would always address you as 'sir,' he reached out his hand and shake your hand," Harrison said.

Eric Griego said Nehemiah competed in wrestling in part because his father, Greg, was a former wrestler and coach.

The family said Nehemiah hoped to attend the New Mexico Military Institute and serve his country like many of the men in his family.

As the Griego family prepares to bury five of their own, they call Nehemiah a "troubled young man who made a terrible decision that will haunt him and his family forever."

The family said they all have different opinions on gun rights and gun control but they're pleading with the public to "not use this tragedy as a way to score political points on the controversial issue."

The Griego family said they don't know if it was a mental breakdown or an undiagnosed psychological issue that led Nehemiah to allegedly kill his parents and siblings.

Gen. David Petraeus pleaded guilty to federal charges Tuesday to end a probe into whether he provided classified information to his mistress when he was CIA director, according to a U.S. official briefed on the matter.